These garlic parm chicken bites are about to become your new favorite thing to make. Seriously, they're bite-sized pieces of crispy, golden chicken tossed in the most incredible garlic parmesan butter sauce. They're basically impossible to stop eating once you start.
I make these at least twice a month because they're ridiculously versatile. Serve them as an appetizer for game day, toss them over pasta for dinner, add them to salads, or just eat them straight from the pan with toothpicks (no judgment). They're crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and coated in that addictive garlic parm flavor.
The best part? They're ready in about 25 minutes, and you can make them in the oven or air fryer. Both methods give you crispy, golden bites that taste like they came from your favorite restaurant. Let's make some seriously good chicken bites.
Bite-Sized Perfection – Everything tastes better in bite-sized form. These cook faster than whole chicken pieces, they're easier to eat, and the ratio of crispy coating to tender chicken is perfect in every single bite.
Baked or Air Fried – Your choice! The air fryer gives you super crispy results in about 12 minutes, but the oven works just as well for bigger batches. Either way, you're getting golden, crispy chicken without deep frying.
That Garlic Butter Coating – After the chicken bites cook, you toss them in melted garlic parmesan butter. This is what makes them absolutely irresistible. Every bite is coated in garlicky, cheesy, buttery goodness.
Versatile for Any Meal – These work as appetizers, main dishes, salad toppers, pasta additions, or snacks. Make a big batch and use them throughout the week in different ways.
Quick Weeknight Winner – From start to finish, these take about 25 minutes. That's faster than most takeout and tastes way better. Perfect for busy nights when you need something fast and delicious.
Kid and Adult Approved – Everyone loves chicken bites, especially when they're this crispy and flavorful. Even picky eaters clean their plates with these.
Here's what you need to make these addictive garlic parm chicken bites.
Even-Sized Cubes – Cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes that are roughly the same size. This ensures they all cook at the same rate and you don't end up with some pieces overdone while others are undercooked.
Panko Creates Crispiness – Panko breadcrumbs have larger, airier flakes than regular breadcrumbs, which makes them way crispier. Don't substitute regular breadcrumbs if you want that perfect crunch.
Parmesan in the Breading – Adding parmesan to the breadcrumb mixture gives you flavor throughout, not just on the outside. Use freshly grated if possible—it has better flavor and texture.
Fresh Garlic in the Sauce – Fresh minced garlic in the butter sauce is key. It's more pungent and flavorful than garlic powder and creates that authentic garlic parm taste.
Butter Coating Magic – The melted butter after cooking is what makes the parmesan and garlic stick to the crispy bites. It also adds richness and that restaurant-quality finish.
This is easier than you think. Let's make some incredible chicken bites.
For Oven: Preheat to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top (optional but helps with crispiness). Spray with cooking spray.
For Air Fryer: Preheat to 400°F. Spray the basket with cooking spray.
Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. Try to keep them roughly the same size so they cook evenly. Pat them dry with paper towels—this helps the breading stick better.
Pro tip: Slightly frozen chicken is easier to cut into uniform cubes. Pop it in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before cutting.
Get three shallow bowls or plates ready:
Bowl 1: Flour seasoned with salt and pepper Bowl 2: Eggs whisked with milk Bowl 3: Panko breadcrumbs mixed with parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper
Line them up in order—this makes breading go quickly and smoothly.
Take each chicken cube and coat it:
Place breaded chicken bites on a plate. Repeat until all pieces are breaded.
Pro tip: Use one hand for wet ingredients and one for dry to keep your hands from getting completely breaded.
Oven Method: Arrange chicken bites on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they don't touch (this helps them crisp up evenly). Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray. Bake for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Air Fryer Method: Arrange chicken bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket—don't overcrowd, cook in batches if needed. Spray with cooking spray. Air fry at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden and crispy.
Pro tip: Don't skip the cooking spray! It's what helps the breading get that golden, crispy exterior without deep frying.
While the chicken cooks, make your sauce. In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and chopped parsley. Mix well.
The sauce should be thick and garlicky with visible parmesan and herbs throughout.
Pro tip: If you want the garlic less sharp, sauté it in the butter for 30 seconds before mixing in the other ingredients.
As soon as the chicken bites come out of the oven or air fryer, add them to the bowl with the garlic parmesan butter sauce. Toss gently but thoroughly until every bite is coated.
Work quickly while the bites are hot—the heat helps the butter soak in and the parmesan melt slightly onto the crispy coating.
Transfer to a serving plate, garnish with extra parsley and parmesan if you want, and serve immediately while they're hot and crispy.
These are best enjoyed fresh when the coating is at its crispiest and the garlic butter is warm and melty. Grab some toothpicks and get ready for these to disappear.
These bites are super versatile—they work as appetizers, main dishes, or add-ons.
Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing – Classic dipping sauces that pair perfectly with the garlicky, cheesy flavor. The cool, creamy dressing balances everything beautifully.
Over Pasta – Toss these over fettuccine or penne with extra garlic butter sauce for an easy dinner. It's like deconstructed chicken parm and it's delicious.
Caesar Salad – Add these to a Caesar salad for a protein-packed lunch. The parmesan in the bites ties in perfectly with Caesar dressing.
French Fries or Potato Wedges – Crispy chicken bites with crispy fries is a classic combo. Add some dipping sauces and you've got the ultimate finger food meal.
Garlic Bread – If you're going all-in on the garlic theme, serve these with garlic bread for dipping in any extra sauce.
Roasted Vegetables – For a lighter option, serve with roasted broccoli, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts.
Rice or Quinoa – Make it a bowl! Serve the chicken bites over rice or quinoa with veggies for a complete meal.
These chicken bites store well, though they're definitely best fresh from the oven or air fryer.
Let the chicken bites cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The breading will soften as they sit, but they still taste great.
The best way to reheat and restore some crispiness:
Oven: Reheat at 375°F for 8-10 minutes until warmed through and crispy.
Air Fryer: Reheat at 350°F for 5-7 minutes until hot and crispy again.
Microwave: Works in a pinch but the breading will be soft. Reheat for 1-2 minutes until warm.
Pro tip: Store the chicken bites plain (without tossing in the garlic butter sauce) if you're meal prepping. Make fresh sauce when you reheat them.
These freeze great! Freeze the breaded but uncooked chicken bites on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. They'll keep for up to 2 months.
Cook from frozen, adding 3-5 extra minutes to the cooking time. Or freeze fully cooked bites and reheat in the oven or air fryer from frozen (12-15 minutes at 375°F).
Make a big batch on Sunday and use them throughout the week. Add them to salads, pasta, grain bowls, or just reheat as a snack. They're incredibly versatile and make meal prep so much easier.
These garlic parm chicken bites are one of those recipes that become a regular rotation because they're so easy and everyone loves them. They're crispy, they're flavorful, and that garlic parmesan coating is legitimately addictive.
I love how versatile they are—appetizer Monday, over pasta Tuesday, in a salad Wednesday. One batch, multiple meals, zero boredom. Plus, they're way better than anything you'd get at a restaurant and you made them yourself.
So grab your chicken, get that panko ready, and prepare for these to become your new favorite way to eat chicken. Fair warning: they're hard to stop eating. :)
These garlic parm chicken bites are crispy, golden, bite-sized pieces of heaven! Coated in addictive garlic parmesan butter sauce. Baked or air fried—perfect appetizer or dinner ready in just 25 minutes!